Baby pen



T. F. RosE Jan. 6, 1959 BABY PEN 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 6 1956 7.' Faerie '055 ATTORNEY T. F. RosE 2,866,983

Jan. 6, 1959 BAY PEN Filed April 6, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR x7.' Eos ree @ose- /4 h /4 BY ATTORNEY United States Patent() BABY PEN Theophylus Foster Rose, Petersburg, Va.

Application April 6, 1956, Serial No. 576,653

z claims. (ci. 99)

This invention relates to baby pens, and more particularly to the collapsible type.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of a baby pen adapted to be collapsed so as to reduce the amount of space normally occupied by it when in folded or collapsed condition.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a baby or infants pen adapted to be collapsed so it may be easily stored in a spaced area smaller than the space required for its normal intended use.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a baby pen that may be easily collapsed so as to be carried by an operative. g

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a baby pen provided with transparent vented sides that permit an infant to be observed and be perceived while incarcerated in such pen, as well as to permit side ventilation.

Other objects and features will more fully appear from the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical perspective view of the baby pen;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a basal portion of the pen;

Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of a corner of a frame and plastic pane;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4 4 of Fig. 3 looking in direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines S-S of Fig. 3 and showing a section of the plastic pane housed in a grooved section of a frame;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a latch;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the frames and latching means thereon;

Fig. 8 is a vertical perspective view showing the baby pen side sections folded in compact form, and

Fig. 9 is a vertical perspective view showing the baby pen basal sections folded in compact form.

Referring more particularlry to the drawings, the invention consists of a plurality of frames 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8; each frame being comprised of two sections, and said frames form the four sides of the pen. These frames may be constructed of any suitable material, such as plastic, light metal; but hardwood has been found to be the preferable material. The frames may be rectangular or square in shape and each of their corner (Fig. 3) sections are respectively secured together by a mortise 9 that registers with a tenon 10 to form a blind and tenon joint; both said members being glued together. A screw 11 is respectively secured to each section of the frame and the tenon thereby providing a lirm and fast corner section.

Grooves 12 are respectively disposed in the inner medial edges 13 of each frame section and are adapted to accommodate transparent plastic sheets or panes 14. It will be noted that the tenons (Fig. 4) are also grooved and register with the companion frame grooves to accomn 2,866,983Y Patented Jan. 6,- 1959 modate the corners of the panes. Each of the frame sections is respectively provided with a plurality of pegs or lugs 15 secured in and projecting from the basal edges of each frame.

. Frames 1 and 2 are secured to each other in pivotal fashion by a plurality of hinges 16land the former is adapted to fold upon the latter in counter-clockwise fashion. Frames 2 and 3 are likewise secured to one another by hinges 17 and the former folds upon the latter in clockwise fashion. l Frames 3 and 4 are also secured to each other in pivotal fashion by hinges 18 and the former folds upon the latter in counterclockwise fashion. Frames 4 and 5 are pivotally connected by hinges 19 and the former folds upon the latter in clockwise fashion. Frames 5 and 6 are connected together by hinges 20 and the former folds upon the latter in counterclockwise fashoin. Frames 6 and 7 are pivotally connected by hinges 21 and the former folds upon the latter in clockwise fashion, and frames 7 and 8 are likewise connected by hinges 22 and former folds upon the latter in counterclockwise fashion. i It is thought obvious that when the frames are folded as previously described, they will nestle closely togetherin the manner clearly illustrated in Fig. 8. When the side frames are in compact form straps 23 are secured about the frames by buckles 24 and a hand grip 25 is secured to said straps in slidable fashion thereby'atfording expedient means of carrying or transporting the frames in a secure manner.

A base 26 is composed for four frames 27, 28, 29 and 30 that are constructed in similar 'fashion to the side frames except that each frame has a support bar 31 spanning its central portion. Frames 27 and 30 are secured together in pivotal fashion by hinges 32 mounted llushwise in the frames, while frames 29 and 2 8 are secured by hinges 33. Frames 29 and 30 are secured by hinges 34 disposed ushwise in the bottom of said frames.

Baseboards 35 are respectively secured to frames 27, 28, 29 and 30 by nails 35' or other suitable means to form the oor of said pen. Apertures 36 are respectively disposed in base 26 and are adapted to register with pegs 15 to prevent lateral displacement of the sides with respect to said base. When the base is desired to be folded in compact form frames 27 and 28 are folded upon r frames 29 and 30, and then farines 29 and 30 are folded upon one another. The base may be secured rmly in compact form by straps and buckles and provled with a handle as hereinbefore described. A plurality of orifices 37 are in each plastic pane for amusement of the confined infant and also to permit ventilation.

Frames 2 and 3, 4 and 5, 6 and 7 and 8 and 1 are respectively fastened by securing latch means 33 and since each is of similar structure the 6 and 7) is applicable to all. The securing means consists of a latch bar 39 having an aperture 40 in one of its ends and a countersunk slotted open eye 41 in the other of its ends. The latch, in this instance, is pivotally connected to frame 5 by a screw 42 engaging aperture 40 and anchored in said frame. A threaded bolt 43 is secured in frame 4 and projects upwardly therefrom and is adapted to engage eye 41. A washer 44 is disposed in the countersunk portion of the eye and a wing-nut 45 engages bolt 43 and is screwed tightly against washer 44- to prevent movement of frames 4 and 5.

It is though obvious that by the provision of these latches the central side sections will more firmly hold against any pressure on the sides.

The present vertical displacement securing means are provided in the nature of brackets 46 (Fig. 1) are of similar construction and description of one is applicable to the rest. The bracket is secured at the basal portion of the frame by nails 47 or any suitable means and is description of one (Figs.

provided with an open countersunk eye 48 of similar structure to eye 41 hereinbefore described, except that the bracket wherein the eye 4S is disposed is located in an angular leg 49., Threaded bolts 50. are respectively disposed in each of the basal frames and the eyes in` brackets 46 are adaptedv to register with` said bolts-'and wing nuts 51 are mounted on said bolts 50; thus` securing the sides rmly to the base. It is to be observedthat the legs 49 ofthe brackets pass'under the basali portionsoftheside frames when theyy are folded so as to permit thel latter to nestle snugly.

Having described-this` invention, what' is claimed is:I

1". A portable play pen for babiescomprising a plurality of panel-like sides, hinged together inl seriesv fashion for folding in' portable form whenv not in use, a plurality of basal sections hinged. together alternately on top and bottom to form' a base andv adapted to be folded in portable fashion, brackets respectively engaging said sides and in operative relation with means on said base to prevent vertical displacement, and means' respectively engaging the top middle portions of said sides to prevent arcuate displacement.

2. A portable play pen for babies comprising a 'plurality of sides hinged together in series fashion for folding in compact form when not in use; a plurality ofsections' hinged together in alternate fashion and adapted to form a base and to be folded in compact form when not in use; a plurality of brackets respectively engaging` one side of said'basev and adapted forengage'rnentwith a plurality of bolts in said base, and means on said bolts for securing said brackets to said base so asto prevent 4 vertical displacement of said sides with respect to said base, and l'atching means'on the top edges of said sides to retard arcuate movement thereof wtih respect to each other.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,230,736 Lowy et al June 19, 1917 1,379,956 Barbour May 31, 1921 1,526,038 Allman Feb. 10, 1925 1,782,217 Stoddard Nov. 18, 1930 2,367,127 Johansson Jan. 9, 1945 2,464,866 Holtz Mar. 22, 1949 2,490,296 Fournier Dec. 6, 1949 2,518,904 King Aug. 15, 1950 2,563,446 Abel Aug. 7, 1951 2,611,909 Dillon Sept. 30, 1952 2,617,998 Reece 2 Nov. 18, 1952 2,624,054 Plant Ian. 6, 1953 2,632,186 Berk et al. Mar. 24, 1953 2,646,576 Abrams July 28, 1953 2,686,922 La Vigne Aug. 24, 1954 2,697,843 Skrmetti Dec. 28, 1954 2,810,554 Blazey Oct. 22, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 81.081 Great Britain 1886 23,473 Great Britain 1898 205,931 Germany Jan. 19, 1909 411,806 France June 27, 1910 256,457 Switzerland Mar, 1, 1949 

